This 1920s postcard shows the brick and stucco Ozark Bathhouse soon after it opened in 1922. It was built in the Spanish Colonial Style for $93,000.
This 1940s photo shows that a 1942 renovation had brought the Ozark Bathhouse’s wings forward in line with the front porch, which was enclosed at the same time. The painted wooden porch enclosure was removed in the late 1900s to return the building to its original appearance.
The Ozark Bathhouse on Hot Springs’ famed Bathhouse Row has witnessed decades of visitors drawn by the promise of healing thermal waters. This presentation will explore the rich history of the Ozark Bathhouse—from its early days as a working bathhouse to what it has now become.
Approximately five years ago, Mid-America Science Museum approached the National Park Service about using the then-empty Ozark building to create a museum focused on the thermal waters that give the national park and city their names.The new museum, the Mystic Ozark, partnered with Process Curiosity, world-renowned exhibit builders who have created exhibits for the Smithsonian and for Disney parks. The “old” Ozark went from an empty historic bathhouse to an interactive museum filled with sensory exhibits.
Opened in May 2025, the Mystic Ozark, located at 425 Central Avenue, is a modern, family-friendly science museum that blends history, storytelling, and hands-on learning. Romeo and Skinner will share how the bathhouse’s past inspired the creation of Mystic Ozark, how myth and science work together to engage visitors, and how preserving history can spark curiosity and education for future generations. Photos courtesy of Garland County Historical Society
